Time to Boycott Chinese Products

You know I'm so fed up with China it's unbelievable. First it was wheat gluten, then it became everything gluten that came from China that went into pet food. Then came thet scare that it had entered the human food supply, but luckily levels needed to cause problems in humans just wasn't in the human supply because unlike dog and cat feed, livestock feed is mixed with other stuff, so it was diluted, plus it takes a LOT more to hurt a human than it does a cat. Now it's in toothhpaste!!! WHAT THE F***!!!!!! Luckily so far not anything that is widely used here in the US, at least nothing I've heard of. But still, it is obvious that China doesn't care about anyone, even their own people and pets. It's time we boycot anything Chinese, from food to furniture. Granted, we don't always know what is in our stuff, but maybe if they see their imports going down, they'll get the point. If you want to do business with Americans you have to be clean, honest, reputable, and safe! I'm tired of worrying about what's in my stuff worse than normal. I ain't too far away from making my own canned cat food recipe. I want to treat my cats, but I'm scared to anymore. It's time our American companies stop sending their stuff overseas, and support American companies. The more they do it, the more the prices will come down, the cheaper it'll be. But I think most of us would be willing to pay a tad more to know that the food we buy for ourselves and our beloved pets won't be lethal. Enough is enough!!

Over-Zealous Mom?

I saw this on a message board I used to keep up on that I'm just getting caught back up on... OMFGG!

Arkansas Mom Prepares for Birth of 17th Child

LITTLE ROCK — The Duggars are once again pulling out the pink ruffles and lace as they prepare for the birth of baby number 17.
Michelle Duggar said Monday in a telephone interview from her northwest Arkansas home that the whole family is excited about the arrival of the baby girl they will name Jennifer Danielle, keeping with the family tradition of giving the child a name that begins with J.
Jennifer Danielle is due July 27.
Duggar, 40, said she was doing fine with her latest pregnancy. Although she has gotten older since she had her first child at age 21, she said, she still has plenty of energy and only minor aches and pains.
"With each baby, God's given me the grace and the energy to keep going, and they really keep you going," she said. "I feel like a 20-year-old kid, but I'm realizing my body isn't that 20-year-old. I don't get up and play the games as hard as I used to, and I try to be a little more careful."
Duggar said she and husband Jim Bob, a former state representative and U.S. senate candidate, view each phase of their children's lives as an adventure.
"I've never been a mom of a 19-year-old young man and a 17-year-old young man and woman, so every phase of parenting is an exciting adventure" Duggar said.
The Duggars home school their children at their 7,000-square foot home in Tontitown. The couple's oldest child, Joshua, is 19, and their youngest, Johanna Faith, is 19 months. Their children include two sets of twins.
Because the couple sees each child as a blessing from God, Michelle Duggar said they will, as long as she is able, accept each child they are given.
"Really, our heart is we would love to receive whatever gifts or blessings the Lord wants to give us," she said. "But I love the baby stage and I can't imagine life without having a toddler in the house."
Two of the Duggar children, Janna, 17, and Jill, 15, attended Johanna's birth at St. Mary's hospital in Rogers in 2005. Duggar said the two girls, who both have an interest in becoming midwives or nurses, may attend Jennifer's birth as well.
And though she has 16 children, Duggar said that each child is so different there are times when she feels like she knows nothing about parenting.
"Here I am a mama with her 17th child on the way, and so many people think 'Oh you've got it all figured out,"' Duggar said. "I am still learning. Just when I think I've got something figured out I try it on the next one and it doesn't work."
The Duggars' other children are John David, 17; Jessa, 14; Jinger, 13; Joseph, 12; Josiah, 11; Joy-Anna, 10; Jeremiah, 8; Jedidiah, 8; Jason, 7, James, 5; Justin, 4; and Jackson Levi, 2.

Project, Life, & BS

You know sometimes life just totally sucks and rocks at the same time. While sparing everyone details I think it's safe to say no one here will forget yesterday for a long time, and it has nothing to do with the holiday. I'm giving 3 cheers to the 4th of July though!
My um-teenth attempt at the box lid is coming along nicely, only have 2 sides left and the attaching process. I sure hope it works this time! LOL I'm tired of it not working!
I heard some bad news from a chat pal last night... My beloved zoo back home has been impacted by all the flooding in KS lately... They've had to evacuate a lot of their animals to drier ground. This isn't a good thing! Too bad you can't move rain clouds. I'm sure GA and FL would take 'em!.
Anyway, I'll post more when I'm feeling more talkative.

Project update

For some reason my in-blog updates aren't getting in, so here's the update: I now have 4 dark blue bears and 4 bright yellow bears!! I'm going to go back up soon to get more bears to make grey ones LOL.

Project Comedy

I've gone and done it... I've painted my 4 spare white bears. Here they are, still wet (except for Mr Purple as he had some time under the blow dryer, and Ms Yellow who's been done for a while). I know I still got patchwork to do, But I honestly don't even know if I'll keep them this way. Mr Green will be my guinea pig, in a day or two I'm going to get him wet and see how much color he looses. I know he will lose a lot, but I want to see if his fabric top holds any color at all. Ms Blue really is a lot darker than she looks, the camera doesn't like blue people. LOL I hope you all get a laugh at me while you read this, it's as much comedy as anything!

I also wanted to show off this cute little guy I found at the thrift store this week!! Aint he just adorable? And at a quarter, I couldn't resist!!! I'm quite the knick-knack fiend if the price is right and it's cute enough. Then again I also love cute beanies and other stuffed animals. I collect them almost as much as I do history ebooks! When I can afford to that is - my collection of ebooks are all free ones :)

Comcast issues?

Is anyone else having a hard time staying connected on Comcast high-speed internet? Where it randomly and suddenly disconnects you and then reconnects you? Or is this a router issue? And if it is, how do you fix it or are ya stuck buying a new one?

Another attempt

I am trying once again (like for the third time), to make a lid for my plastic canvas boxes - that FITS lol. If I can get this one to work, I have the pattern finally and will be able to make the lids for my other two boxes. I knitted myself a little piece to put in my cross-stitch box to attach the canvas spindles I made for the thread pieces so they're not getting all tangled up but I haven't figured out how to attach them to the piece. I am not sure whether I want to tie the plastic on or what. I knitted before I planned, what can I say. So typical of me! One of these days I'll quit working on this canvas stuff and figure out what I'm going to do with my army of bears! LOL. I've been thinking about making a football team out of them but that'd require me making a football field, and that's a lot of canvas no matter how you look at it! I've also been thinking about making a little mini-village for one of my cousin's kids but I'm not sure by the time I got done with it they'd like it, kids grow up so fast you know. Who knows, I may just may display them all somehow, and then I get to figure out how to do that! LOL. I'm not messing with cutting or gluing glass... so I'd have to find something cheap and pre-made. Or, just keep them all in their house... box. The picture shows most of them, the ones that only have two bears have since been updated but I'm not going to waste the memory on another picture of just a few bears... you get the point! Someday I'll figure out what I'm going to do with them!!

Some news thoughts

I hate to say it but the British toddler and the American mother missing are both dead. Both have been gone over a week and there's still no idea where they are. The chances of a happy ending are very slim. We can - and should - pray for the best. But we should also expect the worst. We need to focus as much energy on finding them and finding who did this to them as possible.
I think this recent CRAP with Rosie O'Donnel is just a big publicity ploy on her part. She wants to be known as the best thing that ever walked onto that set, and all she is is a big blabbering fool. She has said so much rediculous crap recently it's hard to stand by her. And while I don't agree with Ms. Hasselbeck politically all the time, I admire her standing up to Rosie and for her beliefs.
What is it with the "border security" laws? Why can't we enforce the laws we have on the books? You think poor Americans won't take jobs working at McDonald's? WRONG! If it's what is available, at least the poorest will take it. But no, it goes to idiots here illegally that can't even speak our language. I can see the farm hands, most of us won't work 12 hours in the farms getting burned day in and day out, especially not for wages that the farmers can afford to pay. FINE. Let them have those jobs. BUT, after the growing season, go back home! Go through the legal channels to get citizenship.
Why are gas prices so high? I seen in today's paper a picture of a gas sign in Chicago: 4.39/gal or something like that! OMFGG THAT IS OUTRAGEOUS! It's time we tax the **** out of these big gas companies and require that they not pass the costs on. The only way they get out of the taxes is upgrading facilities and/or capacity. Use that money to help the people hurting so bad buy more fuel-efficient vehicles, hybrids, or go towards mass transit. Lets hope that we finally get out of our fuel dependency. Hydrogen should be the new fuel of the future. It doesn't have pollution issues that ethanol does. It's only byproduct is water - which could be used in the home or on the farms... think about it!!! It's genius!
I seen Congressman Biden on TV today. I actually liked what he was saying for the most part. I haven't heard much about him mainly because of the focus on Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Obama, Mr. Giulani, and Mr. McCain. But he seemed reasonable, smart, logical, and genuine. Let's see if this holds up. I really would appreciate comments!!

Gargh!

Today is definitely my Monday! I know technically it's Tuesday, but it's definitely MY Monday. I am trying to multitask like crazy all the while burning a cd on the same computer. Someone please remind me I'm not a teenager anymore and my brain can't keep up!! LOL. Now back to my bestest buddy in the world who is waiting ever-so-patiently for me.

A troubling weekend...

Oh what a weekend. I just want to post this right now to anyone STUPID enough to write someone's name and number on a bathroom wall: you never know who you're going to **** off, and guys, it isn't funny either. Sometimes the chick really isn't that kind. You could really freak her out. Us chicks do worry about stalkers, just watch the news, we have reason to!
Somehow - mind you I've only been in Philadelphia city limits ONCE and that was months ago at night for a concert - my name and the home telephone number (which is NOT in my name) ended up on a bathroom stall in a very uhm... BAD part of Philly in some bar that wasn't uhm.... friendly to us Northern European folk (is that PC enough?). How it got there, I don't know. I didn't even know that's what was happening until the second creep that called fessed up to where he got the number. The first idiot called Wednesday night at 1130pm (mind you I get up every am at 445) just as I'm dozing off. So not knowing WTF is going on, I'm freaking out and of course don't sleep to well. Well, Thursday while my boyfriend is relaxing after a week's work (he works 4 days a week to get his 40 hours, so Thursday is his "Friday"), I get the second call at about 730pm. He at least was nice about it when he realized that I wasn't some *****. He was polite enough to give me where it was, except he wouldn't say what bar. So when my boyfriend came home that night, I let him deal with it. Let's just say by Friday afternoon, thanks to our roommate, the number was removed and blacked out and thanks to the boyfriend, those guys know never to call here again at least, and hopefully will never call another number they get off a bathroom wall.
The mystery still exists who would do such a thing to me. Was it a prank intended on my boyfriend and the person who did this was immature so as to involve his girl? Was it someone upset with my boyfriend and decided to make a low blow? I don't know. It can't be me - and I don't mean to sound selfish here - but I barely know anyone here!!! It's not like I'm a social butterfly. I'm quite antisocial actually! There are really only a couple possibilites, and our chief suspect is vehemently denying responsibility, though only the roommate is buying it. The only other thing I can think of is someone from his previous employer. But though many may know OF me, very few know my name from his work, both previous and current. So that's really not a viable option. And we're a way's out from Philly... and people here tend to avoid Philadelphia like the plague unless absolutely needed! It's too far of a drive to just go bar hopping and too dangerous too! So it doesn't make any sense for anyone around us to do it unless they were down in the area for work, which leaves our chief suspect and our roommate... who wouldn't dare. He's a gentleman, if he wanted to pull a prank on my boyfriend he'd do it while they were here... making him too strong a drink or something. He'd never involve me. Heck he's the almost as protective of me as my boyfriend is... kinda happens when the guys are best friends. So that in my mind leaves only one option. And honestly, the guy kinda creeped me out the first time I met him months ago. Perhaps I was onto something? And now that I think about it even the cats have been wary around him. They haven't loved up on him like they have most of our other guests. Gotta love cats... I should listen more often!
Anyways...
Well Friday went off a lot better. By the time we got the situation resolved it was time for us to go out. It was time for me to get out of the house, pig out, pick up a pool stick, and try my hand for the first time in probably a year and a half. My elbow was so out of it I was only good for two games. But I didn't do too bad for an amateur. I seem to have a tendency to bring a lot of uhm... energy to the game. Even the pros seem to miss their shots. And no guys I'm not cheating. No hip wiggling, etc. Usually I walk away from the table to get a drink of my Sprite, so I'm nowhere close. No cheating distractions here. I won the first game on penalty (its the only way I can beat my boyfriend). Scratched on the 8ball. Whoopsie! He had me on the 2nd one though, but I only had 2 balls left. Not bad for me playin an ol pro! Oh I forgot to mention the food more! Oh dear I ate like a cow. LITERALLY... well sorta. I had a half-rack of ribs and sides for lunch, which I absolutely DESTROYED. Then while we were playing pool a little while later, the waitress came out with a pizza for someone else... which just got me hungry again! So off I went to eat again! I had half of a personal pizza, and not one of them tiny Pizza Hut types either. This was almost as big as the regular small pizzas you can order! I was hungry! And we can't forget about the onion rings! But most of the rings and the other half of the pizza was Saturday's lunch. Being as skinny as I am, I think everyone thought I wasn't eating, but I squelched that thought fast! But it sure did feel good to get out for a while, though by the end of the night I was ready to go home. I was home and OUT cold asleep by 8pm. That's how antisocial I am, 6 hours in public wears me out and makes me hide for another few months LOL. That's why I really want to work from home... I don't do well around people!! Especially during mood swing week! LOL
Anyways, that was the extent of fun for this past weekend, we'll see how next one goes.

A Great Video

There are so many things I could say but won't because there are people reading this blog that really don't need to hear the details of what went wrong. Let's just say it wasn't good.
Thank you Carrie for the video!!!! Muwah!

One for the Guys (and not so self-concious chicks)

Is it just me or does Shakira move much more fluidly, and Beyonce look more forced? Just the way Shakira moves, it's so smooth, she doesn't have to accentuate any part of her body to get attention like Beyonce does in most of her videos, this one included. Shakira's body does the talking for her. Now please don't think I'm bi or gay or something. I just WISH I could move like Shakira does, heck so does my boyfriend! LOL I just can't help, especially at the end of the video, seeing Beyonce moving much more forcibly and Shakira just going with the music. Maybe Shakira's just more a pro at it. Maybe it's her cultural upbringing. I don't know. I just wish I had her figure! But I got this one, ache as it does. My boyfriend loves it, so good. I'll keep it I guess LOL.

Thoughts and Weird News

I noticed no one's dared reply to my last post yet. HAHA. I figured everyone would either agree with me or not want to disagree. No biggie. I just wanted to vent LOL.

I'm trying to find an adapter that will fit my portable speakers that fit into my headphone jack on my pda so I don't have to have the batteries in it. I also discovered at the same time that the batteries we bought for the emergency lantern aren't the right size - go figure! Oh well, we got two of those emergency crank-powered lanterns in case we lose power for an extended period.

Talk about some weird news. Did ya hear about the little boy that got a gun permit? Or the poor home buyer that bought a home on foreclosure, went to inspect it and found a dead body on the couch that'd been there for YEARS? EEEWWWW lol. Glad it wasn't me finding the body!

Projects are coming along nicely. I bought some more canvas so I could make lids for my boxes. I also bought me some knitting needles Monday, and have decided to knit blank yellow ribbons and see if I can sell them for $1. I figure I can stuff one or two in an envelope and throw it in the mail. If I can't, I'll have to hike it up to $2. But I won't go for more than that unless the ribbon is bigger. Right now I'm just making the mini 2" high ones.

This is the bracelet I made for our roommate. It's 16" circumference!!! Yikes!!! Needless to say, with the housework I had to get done too, it took me a couple weeks to do it!

These pics are of the bracelet I did for my neighbor in return for taking care of something for me. She wanted bright, she got it!

I will post pics of my best bud in Ohio's bracelet as soon as I finish some other stuff I'm working on for her for an early bday present and get it mailed off for her. Hopefully the few free projects I'm doing will make for good advertising for stuff I can charge for!

Hope everyone's having a good day!

The TRUE Reasons we were attacked on 9/11/01

If you've even seen news snippets of the GOP debate yesterday, I'm sure you've seen the "showdown" between the unknown congressman and former mayor of NYC about why we were attacked nearly 6 years ago. It was ensued that it was our involvement in Iraq that made them attack us. Let's see, yes we stopped Saddam in 1991 but we pulled out. The no-fly zone didn't come until later in the 90s if I remember right. Even then, we weren't in Iraq until after 9/11. You want the real reasons? I'll give them to ya.
1. We're too free.
2. We treat our women better.
3. We're richer.
4. We're happier.
5. We have more prestige and clout.
6. (Summarizing 1-5) They hate us because they're jealous!
7. We have a military presence in the middle east, especially in Saudi Arabia (they conveniently ignore the fact our presence was REQUESTED by the Saudis).
8. They hate us because we're not a radical islamic state.

So, what are we to do? Will leaving Iraq help? Nope. I'm more and more convinced we're in a catch 22. If we leave, they will see it as a win and take down what 'government' exists in Iraq. Yet if we stay, we will lose more and more soldiers, may invite another attack on home soil, and lets admit it, get stuck for years to come. We have to do something. It's time we make the Iraqis be responsible for their future so we're not.

Jerry Falwell is DEAD!

I knew I couldn't stand this guy, but this article should prove why. Such ignorance and intolerance cannot exist in American society and we as a nation continue to exist. Our personal opinions do not give us the right to spew hatred that will cause other human beings pain. No human being deserves to be assaulted or otherwise abused just because of a life decision or something totally beyond their control like what race they happen to be. Hopefully, IF he made it to Heaven, God will sit his @** down and straighten him out! The greatest gift is LOVE, even those who are different from us, and our enemies.

Miscellaneous

Ok here's my ramblings.
Why are those two border patrol agents in prison? They were doing their job! Can someone please explain to me how you can be imprisoned by the government for doing the job they hired and paid you to do? That'd be like undercover police officers on drug stings getting thrown in prison on drug charges.
Why do so many evangelicals fear Mormons so much? Have we as a society become so PC (politcally correct) that anyone different than us is evil? I have known many people of different faiths, and my ex-boyfriend's best friend and his family are Mormons. They are some of the kindest, gentlest, honest, hard-working people I've ever met (never mind they're legal Mexican immigrants... and we all know my stance... or will in a second). Can we not take people at face value for who they are and instead judge them based on our pre-conceived notions of their religion or some other reason?
Why are we so divided on border security? God forbid we snuck into Mexico. We'd stick out like a sore thumb so bad we'd be arrested instantly, thrown in prison, and left to die. This situation needs to be resolved. We need to have a high-tech fence, so as not to destroy the beauty of the environment (hopefully we have a way of not hurting crossing animals). We need a border patrol with the authority to send illegals back and arrest those committing crimes. We need to make English the official language - everyone else who emigrated here learned English to survive, even if they spoke their native language at home. We need to expedite the legal immigrant proceedings to help deter those who want to come legally but can't wait any longer. And we need, most importantly, to pressure the Mexican government to take responsibility for their country and citizens.
How can so many people stand by and watch a young man beat the **** out of a 91 year old WW2 vet? I'm a small woman, but God forbid I was around, I'd be neck-beating, balls-kicking, and if all else failed, eye-assaulting the assailant. It's not that the guy was a WW2 vet, that's just the icing on the cake. We young Americans need to protect those who can't protect themselves - the elderly and the young (and guys, we expect you to put especially us small women in that category if we're getting our butts beat by a bohemouth of a person). But that being said, I myself cannot stand by and watch someone get beaten up. Maybe it's because I was when I was young. I was the target of so much bullying it's sad. I won't take it anymore.
What's up with the recent backlash against "shock jocks" and why are commentators like Hannity, Colmes, Limbaugh and (Glenn) Beck being watched like the shock jocks? Imus said much worse stuff before and didn't get fired. Now he's suing and will probably join Howard Stern on satellite. Much as I can't stand all of the commentators I mentioned (except Mr. Beck who tends to wear on me half the time but the other half I'm with him), they aren't shock jocks. They're just commenting on society and issues as they see them. Glenn said it right tonight on his TV show. If you don't like what's on the radio, TURN IT OFF! Radio, like TV, and other businesses, are in it for the money. And if the money isn't there, they're gone! They make money off of listeners / viewers. So turn it off, and eventually the show will be gone!
Last question:
What was I originally going to talk about? LOL! I forgot while I was eating a few minutes ago thinking about this post!!! I can't wait to see all the comments I get on this one...

Thunderstorms...

Today was not a good day to randomly pick to go grocery shopping. It was starting to sprinkle when we left and by the time we got to the store (which is less than 2 miles away) it was pouring. By the time I was finishing grocery shopping it was thundering so loud it sounded like God was dropping bowling balls onto the roof. Not good for someone afraid of storms!!! But I kept my cool and got done - and of course I got soaked hauling the groceries into the car and into the apartment. EEEYYYYUUUcckkkkkieeeeeeeeeeeee! But to heck with it. I've done so much sweating the last 24 hours I needed a rinsing before the shower LOL. I just ain't taking a shower until well after the storm's passed. I'm paranoid like that. Growing up in tornado alley hearing bout peeps getting electrocuted sitting on the crapper kinda scars ya for life, even if they are just old wives' tales. I much prefer to stay safe than sorry and dead!
My recent meeting people online through this blog has really made my day, week, and month. For a young, anti-social, shy kid, I am happy beyond words that other people enjoy my ramblings and rantings. All I've ever wanted to do is make a difference, even if it's just making someone smile. I try to make someone smile as much as I can, but some days I can't even make ME smile.
My eye has started acting up again, this weird twitching in my eyelid. I think its time I wear my glasses more often!! I used to have this issue all the time... then I got the glasses and it got better. But I think the recent sunshine has been wearing on my eyes. That'll teach me for not listening to the boyfriend!

Virginia Tech graduation

I just wanted to post a separate note to send my congratulations and condolances to all those at Virginia Tech and the families of the victims. Congratulations graduates, and families rest assured your loss will never be forgotten by our country.

Help the victims of the Greensburg, KS Tornado

This is dear to me and if anyone who can afford to comes across this, please donate to the Wichita chapter of the American Red Cross. The information follows. Please help if you can, this town needs all the support it can get right now as they try to rebuild their entire town. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

To donate to the disaster relief fund, mail a check to:
American Red Cross, 1900 E. Douglas, Wichita, KS 67214
Write "Greensburg Relief Fund" on the memo line of your check. You can also call 316-219-4000 during regular business hours.

Miscellaneous items from Life

The weather definitely can affect moods, I'm living proof. Yesterday was very gloomy most of the day, it kept looking like it was about to storm, but it never did. I was gloomy and kinda depressed. Today it was sunny and nice outside and I just couldn't wait to get out in it!!! But no one warned me it was so friggin' humid outside! I went outside and I instantly started having problems breathing! I think I got used to the drier air and the humidity caught me off guard. I was panting almost from the get-go and by the time I got back home from my errand an hour later I was ready to fall over! I got in the door, put my stuff down, and laid down and tried to get my breathing back under control. That isn't good for someone with small lungs and even smaller capacity! But luckily I'm an old pro at getting my breathing slowed down by now.
Today marks the 5 year anniversary of when me and my boyfriend met n decided we'd give the relationship a try - once I got my head straight! I was fresh out of a very bad relationship, and he knew that. We'd known each other online since 1999 but it was our first face-to-face meeting. You'd never known it though, he has been my best friend since almost the first time we talked online. We just never thought it'd get past friends until we met IRL. But we both felt it but both knew we had to take our time. But we still mark that as our beginning, and even through the rough times, we've made it through. We've been on top of the mountains and in the deepest of the gutters. But when one of us is struggling, the other picks up. Every relationship has its issues, and we've worked through our own share. but we're still here to talk about it.
Comcast must be having some ISSUES. As I'm typing this, my internet connection has dropped TWICE at least, and I'm not even sure yet if I'll be able to send this by the time I finish writing! If all else fails, I'll send to a txt document, sync to the pda, copy/paste it into my inbox on there, and save a draft copy and send on a better connection! I shouldn't have too much trouble though, I'm usually pretty good about things like that when push comes to shove.
As my google homepage loaded, I was reminded why I live so far away from Philly... just read this little article! 16 shootings in 4 months on ONE corner! That's pretty much a shooting a week! I'm beginning to get jealous of those living in the middle of the state... they're far enough away from both of the monster cities to not have to think so much about that. But, I'm also quite paranoid... I'm a small-town Kansas kid! I was freaking watching Cincinnati news! And looking back, Cincinnati, just based on murder rates, is 4-5 times safer than Philly! Ahhhhhh I miss the midwest! LOL.
Just for all my cats' fans, they are doing great. Curzon's digging his nightly walks outside on leash and collar, though after we come back in it starts the scratching on the door thing which is very annoying! But I've come to figure out having the windows open doesn't help, he seems to calm down after I close them. Jadzia is doing great, she went out on her first walk last night, after I took Curzon out (who gave up trying to eat a very squirmy worm LOL). She didn't do too bad though I had to keep her under closer guard as she only has a breakaway collar, but it's soo cute and sooooo her! It's got the outdoor cat bell on it, it's a skinny purple one with white cat paws on it - soooo feminine! Nimbus went out briefly last night too, but with his cardiomyapthy I have to be cautious as to not overstimulate his heart. (And there goes the internet connection AGAIN!) And speaking of Nimbus' heart, he's doing ok, though he won't get his next check-up until November at least, when it'll be his 1-year checkup from his first 6-month checkup. If all is well then, the cardiologist is willing to wait 2 years for the next one. And at $400 a pop (at least that's what it was last November) minimally, I have no intention of dropping that much more often than need be! We seemed to have caught it early enough and he seems to be responding well to the Atenolol quarter-pills. The Purina One Urinary Tract food has been doing well with his tract and he has shown no signs of a relapse there, which is very good. He's a normal acting, looking, eating pig errrr cat! All except his daily pilling, which I pray someday he will not need anymore though if this is all it takes to give him a normal healthy life, I'll happily do it for the rest of his long life. An indoor cat shouldn't die before they hit 10, and Nim's only 4 going on 5. By Maine Coon standards, he's just getting ready to come into his prime!
Bracelet business is starting to look a little better. I got my friend MaryAnn's bracelet done, though she wants to be surprised when she sees it, so no pics yet. I'm working on my neighbor's as a payback for getting me the cat litter and she's excited. I decided to do a black triangle outline pattern (though only the two sides, not the bottom, as that'll be bordered off as I cover the edges) with random colors inside the lines. I hope to have hers done soon as hers is skinnier but longer than MaryAnn's. I'm still trying to figure out if/how I could sell them online, though my boyfriend seems to rather want me to do leather bracelets. Aren't they watchbands? LOL Shows how much I know, I've worked with yarn and canvas all my life, with the occasional drift into cross-stitching. I sure wish I could do my football paterns but I have no intention on paying outrageous copyright fees to get permission nor getting into trouble for doing it on my own. I'm not talking big fancy things, just little near-keychain size medallion-like things. I don't know. Maybe I'll freehand a pattern and hope I don't get in trouble. Maybe if it's a request from someone I won't get in trouble as I'm not marketing them much less as authorized merchandise? I don't know. Sounds like too much legal BS for me! LOL. Then what if I'm successful? I'd have to hire someone to do my business taxes for me, start charging sales tax on top of my expenses and shipping... HEADACHE TIME! LOL.
Anyways I better shut up for now before the connection craps again! Hope yall are well and feel free to leave me a message! I love getting them!

Sign the Petition

It's time that even the rich pay for their crimes. Please join me in signing this petition to get Gov. Schwartzenegger to not get involved with Paris' case. Paris Hilton needs to do her 45 days.

Ahahaha! Take THAT, OJ!

Just a brief thought: if you can't afford to pay the parents of your late wife, you can't afford to eat at Jack Ruby's restaurants. Pay them first. And you're not wanted in the Cincinnati area. We don't want a murderer in our eateries, even if you weren't convicted in criminal court. We believe you did it, and that's reason enough. Quit trying to play the race card, that excuse is TOO old to work anymore. Grow up OJ, take responsibility, pay your debts. Go back to California where you'll fit in better.

Oh dear...

Just as I'd posted the last blog, I seen this! Oh dear, chit... I am an independent ain't I? I can't stand Limbaugh, Hannity, or Colmes... but Obama joins Edwards and (Mrs.) Clinton in the realm of stupidity as well. Hello!!!!!! We need a good independent candidate. One that understands you can be pro-choice AND pro-life (want the government to stay out of a woman's decision yet personally anti-abortion). One that understands evolution and creationism can go hand in hand (who says God didn't start evolution?) and don't have to necessarily conflict with each other! Oy stupidity!!!!!

Chat - Good Question

Does ANYONE in America respect President Bush anymore? Uhm, I don't think so.... LOL. With his Nixon-like approval ratings so low, I have to assume most of us are fed up with him at least. Never mind his denial of Kansas' lack of resources to clean up Greensburg because of the war in Iraq and securing the southern border. I hope his visit today wakes him up and reminds him of the cost of war on the home front. This is no World War II. We're not going to be willing to send all of our men and boys off to war and send all of our girls and women to work to pay for his war. I for one will refuse. I'll keep making my bracelets, and if he wants to pay me to make them for our troops, THEN I will! :P
By the way, I finished the roommate's bracelet this weekend, I'll have some pictures up soon (I'll post them the same time I post the pics of my best friend's bracelet that I'm working on now). I'm a busy little girl now it seems, I am trading a bracelet for cat litter for a neighbor of mine. Perhaps I should sell them for $5 or $10. But who else is going to want one? I think it's a polite fluke. I don't know though.

A Few Thoughts

You know all this hoopla about the British Queen's visit is quite... Royally hilarious! A nation who we once hated so much that we would've killed any royalty who stepped on our soil less than 250 years ago is now one of our favorite social infatuations. It's quite humorous in historical context, I'm sure my Australian friends will agree as our history and theirs are quite similar. Even two hundred years ago we still weren't very comfortable with the motherland to say the least. Now they're our strongest ally and provide us some of the best music (especially if you're a Beatles fan). But the Queen must be the only person in the world who requires her hosts to adapt to her traditions. When we visit other countries, we adapt to their customs during our visit. When other dignitaries visit us, they take in our customs (for the most part). Yet the Queen gets whatever she wants whenever she wants it. Sounds kinda... Spoiled, doesn't it? You all know what would happen if we demanded ANYTHING of our parents - talk about a stern rebuke! Most of us would be told to 'do it ourselves' at least!
Don't get me wrong, I'm glad the Queen came. She was a major tourist attraction while she was here. She probably boosted the economies of the areas she visited a good deal without spending a dime herself. She also reminded us why we're Americans. We take pride in our independence and our freedoms.
On another note, when does this melamine scare end? First it was cat and dog food contaminated with wheat glutens. Then corn was added to the list. Then rice and soy. Then they found the contaminants in pig feed. And then it was chicken feed. NOW it's in fish food too! Luckily not the fish food me and you would buy for our fish - so far. But it has been found in food fed to fish in 'fish farms' that later make it to our stores as human food. I've said this since it came out - I'll stick to Purina right now. I haven't seen any of their dry food on the recall list and I think the same can be said for their canned food. I know other Proctor and Gamble products are under recall - I just know my Purina is safe, and for that I am thankful. The rest, we'll deal with. And perhaps we'll quit importing what we can make here! I'll pay a little more - and I'm sure most other people will too - to know that our pets' food - and ours - is safe.

Meeting New People

I've recently decided it was time for me to branch out of my little world online and see what else is out there... I've GOT to socialize somehow! I'm so anti-social IRL it's not funny, I'm the most shy person in the room unless I know you. Yet once you know me for a while, this seems to be forgotten as I've had more than one friend playfully call me a liar when I say I'm shy as ****. Geez! lol... Anyways, I found this really cool blog yesterday or the day before (sorry dear I already lost track of the days) and I just laughed my rear off reading about her kids, wishing I had some of my own, then reading the next post and being thankful it was her and not me! So after a few swapped comments and a few emails, much to my pleasure I found out she's nearby! FINALLY I meet someone in PA, even IF it's only online. I've felt like such a stranger in a strange land sometimes. I've never seen worse drivers - heck I've never had to dodge so many collisions and people not watching where they're going! I'm a small town Kansas kid fer pete's sake! And then I read the paper and more people died over in Philly and I suddenly realize Cincinnati was safer than I ever knew it was!!! I miss Ohio somehow, it was a good place to get my head straight and for this little midwest country kid to get "citi-fied" LOL. I ain't gonna claim any "street cred" but I will claim to be a lot more cautious! I gotta say though, this little small town is nice. The people are incredibly nice once they get out of their cars. The food is TO DIE FOR, especially the italian food (and I'm supposed to be German and Norwegian, if we are what we eat, I'm 100% Italian I think). I hear the food's even better in Jersey but I'm not sure I want to see that. Then again I don't want to venture into Maryland to see the shore. Maybe I convince the boyfriend to go the Delaware route. I just know I want to avoid Maryland at all costs. And I don't want to leave this town!!! It's too beautiful! Tho I may have to move a little further away from this blasted m*****f***** creek!!!!!!!!!! Hahaha, well at least I haven't floated away yet in the just more than a year I've been here. And after the tornados back home in Kansas, I'm so glad I'm not there! Go figure, the last bad outbreak back home is the last one I endured... I don't think I'll be moving back anytime soon.

I called my cousin's wife over the weekend to make sure she was safe from the storms, and unfortunately her little girl has pneumonia again. But as a young preemie under age 2, it's expected. Big sister had the same problem. I just can't wait to get back to see them again. My cousin is more like my older brother and his wife is one of the few friends of his from our school days that didn't mind little sis hanging around a bit! I'm an only child! What else was I supposed to do! Needless to say, I don't think there's another woman out there better for my cuz/bro. And the girls are just INCREDIBLY gorgeous.... well here, here's the proof!

That's little Emalee on the left with big sister Gina taken a few months ago. You know somehow in their little kiddy language Emalee must've told one heck of a joke! But that's the girls. Go figure, for a family so dominated by boys (of us known 7 grandkids, 5 of us grew up together, and only 2 of us are girls and I'm the oldest girl yet I'm almost the youngest grandkid - figures), my beloved cuz would have the two most gorgeous kids I ever laid eyes on! They have come so far from being such preemies to being near normal healthy little kids! I can't wait to see them grow up into the monster hearbreakers they're bound to be! The boys better watch out!

Alright there's my rant, rave, and jubilees for today. :) enjoy folks!

As seen on another's blog

I have to agree with a lot of this... sadly. I can't wait for 08. We need a change. I just don't know if we're going to get a good change. I'm trying to remain hopeful.

Bush's Failure after Failure:
1-) War in Iraq. 2-) Failure of Intelligence before and after the war. 3-) Osama Bin Laden is still on the run. 4-) Back in 2004 Bush paid radio personality Armstrong Williams and syndicated columnist Maggie Gallagher to promote the Bush agenda. 5-) Distribution of false television news segments about the effects of drug use among young people. 6-) The use of church sermons to promote Bush during the 2004 election. 7-) Enron scandal and its connections to the Bush government. 8-) Trillions in debt. Who does Bush think will pay for our trillions of dollars of debt? 9-) Valerie Plame leak. 10-) Tom DeLay-Jack Abramoff money trail. 11-) Abu Ghraib torture. 12-) Medicare for senior citizens is a mess. 13-) Hurricane Katrina/FEMA disaster. 14-) Blatant cronyism from Bush on down. 15-) He nominated an unqualified indentured servant, Harriet Miers, for the Supreme Court. 16-) 6 east coast ports would have been protected by Dubai agency; but, because of the controversy that ensued, Dubai withdrew their bid. 17-) Bush approved a deal under which a Dubai-owned company would take control of 9 plants in the United States that manufacture parts for American military vehicles and aircraft. 18-) Telephone wiretapping. 19-) Civil War in Iraq. 20-) Never admits to have made a mistake. 21-) Darfur help against genocide came 3 years and 300,000 deaths too late. 22-) Closed doors meetings between Cheney and the energy moguls. The oil companies announcing billions in profits in 2005. The price of gas going through the roof for consumers. 23-) Haditha = Vietnam at its worst redux. Innocents killed because our soldiers are stretched physically and emotionally to their limits and more. "And the list is not finished yet..." "But you are not reporting the good news?" "Which are... hmmm? I guess there are no good news!"

Words are useless in times like these...

All I can say from one tornado survivor (1999 OKC outbreak) to the community of Greensburg Kansas is may God be with you as you continue searching for survivors, bury your dead, and rebuild your life. It's not easy, especially when you have to rebuild an entire town, businesses and emergency services included. But know that not only the midwest, but the entire NATION is behind you on this one. And to the other victims of the outbreaks of the last few days, you will not be forgotten either. It has been a rough year so far, the worst by far since 1999. Stay strong, and don't be afraid to move back, rebuild - and even better than before, and show this country how resilient us Kansas folk are!

Mother's Day

Mother's Day is quickly approaching - if it hasn't already passed me by. I try so hard to forget it, the last few have been very painful to say the least. As I posted on the group I started on Google Groups, this isn't a time for grieving, it's a time for celebration and happy memories. However, I also know this is easier said than done - all too well. At least in my case, Mom's death was made all the more painful by the anger, hatred and blame placed upon me by her own sister. Death is supposed to draw families back together. But in my family, it only pushes us farther apart. This was true when Grandma died, it has become even more so with Mom's passing in 2001. The lines are very clearly drawn - largely amongst generational lines. Mom's generation seems to think that heart attacks can be caused by grievances over a year old - and neglect to mention other facts. My generation sees the falacy in blaming ANYONE for a natural occurance - it is the cycle of life. We are conceived, spend 9 months in warm darkness, and then come into a bright world and spend the rest of our lives trying to get back to the bliss of warm peace and comfort. However, it seems that the blame game is limited to mostly my own blood relatives that were supposedly closest to her in relations and distance. It seems it was my responsibility to care for her for her entire life and no one bothered to tell me. Had I known she was dying, I'd never left home. I'd waited that little more than a year, hauled her @ss to the doctor, kept her going, and given her the best treatment I could. But I can't go back, and no matter how much I want to, it won't bring Mother back. And honestly, even if I COULD, I would NOT. She is at peace. What awaits us after death is a moot point in this case - even if we are worm food, she is no longer suffering. If there is truly a heaven, she is being well taken care of and surrounded by family and friends that went before her and have since joined her (her best friend died 6 years later exactly - this past January). She didn't need to see 9/11/01. She didn't need to see her little girl's heart get ripped out. She would've been proud though at how I managed to pick myself up and find my way once again. Granted, I had help. I had a friend to walk me through the grieving process - and in that process, we fell in love. My Mom would give me a HUGE high five for proving all our doubters wrong as we made it to the five year mark together. Would Mom like the man I fell in love for? At first, no. No man is ever good enough for a Mother's only daughter. But I think she'd come around. Her utmost priority was my happiness, and if I was happy, she was happy for me. Granted, sometimes TOO much, there are just some things a girl does NOT want to hear come out of her Mother's mouth!! But I think with a little time, she'd fall in love with the love of my life and taken him in as one of her own. Though I'm sure she'd never let him live down any slight disagreement we'd have. I'm also sure she'd remind him any harm done to me would be done 100 fold to him!! Mothers are protective like that! But I honestly do think she'd like him. Heck, I wouldn't be too surprised if she'd tried to take him for herself! I am my Mother's daughter - so I have no doubt our tastes in men are probably extremely similar. Mom would probably also be very happy that we have decided to not have kids. Mom was weird, she had no desire to be a grandma. Now if she got that chance, she'd probably eat it up. She probably just told me she didn't want to be one cause she wouldn't want me to go through the stress and pain of childbirth and raising. But Mom loved her nephew's son, and I know she would've loved the other babies that have come since she passed and will surely come in the future. I personally believe she's at least looked down on them at least once or twice and smiled with pride.
Mom was a special woman. She fought for what was right and true, even when no one believed her. She fought for me and my rights even when no one listened. She provided for me even if it meant she went without. She sacrificed everything she knew to give me a chance, even when everyone counted me out. I'll never forget the pride, joy, and love in her face the day I graduated high school with honors and the in-laws were more proud of me than their own kids. It was our "I TOLD YOU SO" moment! Mom was probably no different than a lot of moms. But she was special to me. And for all the sacrifices she made for me, I shall ensure her memory lives on forever, as I'm sure her favorite nephew will make sure her memory lives on as well. I may have been an only child, but at least her three oldest nephews were like her own children, and she loved them as much as she did me - IF NOT MORE!!
So on this most dreaded and sad of days for me personally, I choose, even if it's just for a moment, to be happy. I choose to celebrate the woman who gave me life when others wanted me aborted, fought to keep custody of me, and made me be successful. I will always love you Mom!!!!

News

Georgia Fire Continues to Spread
One must wonder if this fire will ever be contained. I can't seem to recall in my memory a fire this big in the Southeast. I hope anyone in the area is praying for rain like they've never seen before. A flood would be better than this drought-laden fire season. I wish I could send some of the rain we got here a week or two ago down to them! That fire's been buring for at least two weeks!

Motive for KC Shooting Spree?
Can there ever be a REASON to kill innocent people? We all hear about "motives"; all they really are doing is giving the criminal excuses. We as a nation need to get our heads out of our rear ends and start dealing with the people like this man and like the Virginia Tech shooter better, longer, and with the authority of the law to keep them confined until they're no longer a threat to themselves or others. And even after they're released, they should be monitored.

Pending Justice for Murdered Bronco?
How sad is it that a football player gets caught in gang warfare? The police aren't saying yet that the gang shot him down, but all the links are there, draw your own conclusions. Gangs don't care about who gets hit. They don't care if they misidentify their victims. They don't even care if innocent children get brought down in crossfire usually. I just wonder why it took so long to get indictments on these guys for the guns and drugs charges. It's illegal to be in a gang, isn't it?

Just as I thought I knew my cats...

... Nimbus proves me wrong. The lil feller usually is good if I carry him outside and to the creek or to see someone, but not today! I still haven't checked my shoulder yet for wounds from his claws getting through my tshirt and sweatshirt. All I'm going to say is this: there should be a warning label attached to Maine Coons - "beware this cat may be stronger than you" LOL. Gotta love the cat though!

I think this picture gives you enough of an idea of how big this cat is... from snout to rear (not including tail) he is over 2' long. Bless his little heart though, he's got cardiomyapthy. But he's doing well. I just hope I didn't put too much a strain on his heart though. But it's also the reason he doesn't go out that often - too much to get his heart racing too much. I'll let him get his exercise inside where he can quit whenever he wants to, and he seems to know when to quit very well.